When it comes to resolving your tooth pain, you want the most qualified person for the job. While dentists can take care of most dental issues, some problems are better left to a specialist like an endodontist. If you ever wondered what’s the difference between a dentist and an endodontist, you’re in luck. Read on for our endodontist vs dentist comparison to learn more about the profession and why an endodontist might be better suited to fix your tooth.

Difference Between a Dentist and an Endodontist

Endodontics is a specialized field of dentistry. In fact, less than three percent of all dentists complete the additional education required to become an endodontist. An endodontist is a highly trained dental specialist that focuses on caring for complex tooth problems that primarily affect the tooth pulp inside of teeth. While dentists receive four years of education and training, endodontists complete an additional two or more years of advanced training.

While most dentists can perform root canal therapy, endodontists have more extensive training. They use advanced techniques to treat the dental pulp and root tissues. Our team of endodontists at Endodontic Specialists of Colorado focus on relieving your toothache while saving your natural tooth, whenever possible.

How Does One Qualify to Become an Endodontist?

To become an endodontist, one has to complete the training to become a dentist, and then add one or more years of dental school training specializing in this branch. This additional training teaches the dentist to handle procedures related to the interior part of a tooth, including root canal treatment and tooth pain diagnosis.

“Endodontics” is a term derived from two Greek words. “Endo” means inside, whereas “odons” means tooth. When combined, these words describe the study of the tooth’s inner part, also known as the dental pulp. Endodontists are specialized in treating all kinds of diseases that involve the dental pulp. Since the dental pulp is the innermost part of the tooth, endodontists must be familiar with it to understand the disease that is affecting this area.

The enamel, which is the tooth’s outermost layer, and the dentin that lies beneath the enamel, protects the dental pulp from outside damage. In simple words, these form a hard casing around the pulp that protects it from being infected by the microbes present in the mouth.

However, this protective cover erodes if the tooth starts to decay, resulting in holes being formed in this layer. This makes the pulp vulnerable, as it now becomes exposed to the microbes. Additionally, it also makes the teeth more sensitive to temperatures on the hotter or colder side.

While it may seem like endodontist vs dentist is one big competition, they actually work together to restore patients’ smiles. More often than not, endodontists limit their practice to focus on the dental pulp. Doing so allows them to put all of their efforts into learning and specializing in this field. They don’t work on cleaning teeth or placing fillings like general dentists; instead, they dedicate all of their time to diagnosing and treating tooth pain.

In most cases, endodontic treatment can save a diseased tooth. An average endodontist completes about 25 root canal treatments a week –– making root canal surgery second nature to them, and leaving very little space for mistakes.

Entrusting Your Teeth to the Specialists

Since most of our patients are dealing with tooth pain, our team at Endodontic Specialists of Colorado make it our mission to ensure our patients are as comfortable as possible throughout the treatment. We use state-of-the-art technology and relaxation techniques to make the treatment as smooth as possible.

If you need root canal therapy, entrust your smile to the specialists. Our offices are conveniently located in Pueblo and Colorado Springs, making the care you need just a phone call away. Contact us today to learn how our endodontists can restore your smile!